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Robertson bids adieu to Council
12-year councilman officially ends his duties on Monday.
By JEFF M. HARDISON
jhardison@lakecityreporter.com
John Robertson will end his 12 years of service as a member of the Lake City City Council on Monday, after a new person is elected to replace him.
Either RIchard Hale or Melinda Moses will take the Dist. 13 seat.
With that in mind, Robertson gave a farewell speech Monday night — the last regular City Council meeting where he sat as a voting member. There was a recent special
emergency meeting where he cast a vote and he will be at Monday’s meeting regarding the fire assessment.
Mayor Stephen Witt issued a proclamation at the regular meeting on Monday that Aug. 26, 2008, would be “Councilman John Robertson Day” in Lake City in recogntion of him carrying out his duties with honor and dignity, having “given unselfishly of his time, energy, and expertise in the best interest of the city and its citizens, expecting little in return other than the knowledge that his contributions have helped to make our beautiful city a better place to live.”
Robertson served as chairman of the board of directors of the Greater Lake City Regional Utility Authority, Witt said, as well as chairing the city’s utility advisory committe, and in other capacities.
Robertson also received a key to the city from the mayor. Human Resources Director Carrie Correia gave Robertson a 12-year pin, which is unique.
Robertson said he has questioned the city’s choice to limit service pins in five-year increments, so the pin from Correia is even more special to him. He will wear the pin with pride, he said.
A cake was brought for everyone to enjoy immediately after the meeting as part of the farewell celebration.
City Councilman Mike Lee is also leaving office when a new person is elected to replace him. Witt presumed that there will not be at least a 50 percent, plus one vote, majority vote on Tuesday. There are four contenders for Lee’s District
12 seat — Jake Hill Jr., Harold Perry, Greg Ridilla and Kurt Ruppert Sr.
With that, the mayor listed Nov. 4, 2008, as “Councilman Mike Lee Day” in Lake City.
Robertson was elected by a vote of 380 to 376, he said, and this shows that every vote counts. In the past 12 years, many people have laid claim to being one of the deciding four voters, Robertson said.
No person ran against Robertson for the two terms after his inital four-year term.
He shared short narratives about each member of the City Council, and the city manager, city clerk, City Attorney Herbert Darby — who is the longest sitting city attorney in Florida — and City Engineer Henry Sheldon, who has been in his position for in excess of 30 years.
Robertson said this council has worked well together. They all trust one another and respect each other. Even though there are times when one or two of the members are dissenters from the majority, no councilmen takes the vote personally, Robertson said.
The one issue he broached was whether the city and county work together.
The recent tornado recovery efforts are an example of the city and county cooperating, he said. The Battle of Olustee and Festival, the Fourth of July celebration and other festive events are cooperative ventures, he said.
“We do work together,” he continued, “(on) economic development activies. Jointly working together, the city and county have meant much to the economic growth of this city.”
Robertson listed Citel, Hunter Panels, the Target distribution center, U.S. Cold Storage, as some major examples of success in bringing business to the city and county through joint efforts.
Either RIchard Hale or Melinda Moses will take the Dist. 13 seat.
With that in mind, Robertson gave a farewell speech Monday night — the last regular City Council meeting where he sat as a voting member. There was a recent special
emergency meeting where he cast a vote and he will be at Monday’s meeting regarding the fire assessment.
Mayor Stephen Witt issued a proclamation at the regular meeting on Monday that Aug. 26, 2008, would be “Councilman John Robertson Day” in Lake City in recogntion of him carrying out his duties with honor and dignity, having “given unselfishly of his time, energy, and expertise in the best interest of the city and its citizens, expecting little in return other than the knowledge that his contributions have helped to make our beautiful city a better place to live.”
Robertson served as chairman of the board of directors of the Greater Lake City Regional Utility Authority, Witt said, as well as chairing the city’s utility advisory committe, and in other capacities.
Robertson also received a key to the city from the mayor. Human Resources Director Carrie Correia gave Robertson a 12-year pin, which is unique.
Robertson said he has questioned the city’s choice to limit service pins in five-year increments, so the pin from Correia is even more special to him. He will wear the pin with pride, he said.
A cake was brought for everyone to enjoy immediately after the meeting as part of the farewell celebration.
City Councilman Mike Lee is also leaving office when a new person is elected to replace him. Witt presumed that there will not be at least a 50 percent, plus one vote, majority vote on Tuesday. There are four contenders for Lee’s District
12 seat — Jake Hill Jr., Harold Perry, Greg Ridilla and Kurt Ruppert Sr.
With that, the mayor listed Nov. 4, 2008, as “Councilman Mike Lee Day” in Lake City.
Robertson was elected by a vote of 380 to 376, he said, and this shows that every vote counts. In the past 12 years, many people have laid claim to being one of the deciding four voters, Robertson said.
No person ran against Robertson for the two terms after his inital four-year term.
He shared short narratives about each member of the City Council, and the city manager, city clerk, City Attorney Herbert Darby — who is the longest sitting city attorney in Florida — and City Engineer Henry Sheldon, who has been in his position for in excess of 30 years.
Robertson said this council has worked well together. They all trust one another and respect each other. Even though there are times when one or two of the members are dissenters from the majority, no councilmen takes the vote personally, Robertson said.
The one issue he broached was whether the city and county work together.
The recent tornado recovery efforts are an example of the city and county cooperating, he said. The Battle of Olustee and Festival, the Fourth of July celebration and other festive events are cooperative ventures, he said.
“We do work together,” he continued, “(on) economic development activies. Jointly working together, the city and county have meant much to the economic growth of this city.”
Robertson listed Citel, Hunter Panels, the Target distribution center, U.S. Cold Storage, as some major examples of success in bringing business to the city and county through joint efforts.
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A new beginning wrote on Aug 24, 2008 2:03 PM: